Parties for Men of Style

Rat Pack and Dandies Were Celebrated

Rats and peacocks roamed freely through two of Manhattan's most luxurious men's stores on Thursday night.

Rats as in the Rat Pack, whose stylish members are celebrated in a new $950, limited-edition coffee-table book called "The Rat Pack." Its publication was celebrated at Paul Stuart, in a soiree co-hosted by Esquire magazine.

Peacocks as in dandies, who are celebrated in a new book, "I am Dandy: The Return of the Elegant Gentleman," by Nathaniel Adams and Rose Callahan. That was celebrated at the Bergdorf Goodman's Men's Store, which has recently been branded "Goodman's."

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At the 'I am Dandy' party: Patrick McDonald
BFA

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Rose Callahan, Peter McGough and Nathaniel Adams
BFA

Both stores were looking back to stylish men of the past to inspire menswear today. There was some lamenting that men's style had lost its way but some hope for the future. "I find it getting better," said writer and man-about-town Patrick McDonald, who is often described as "the Dandy of New York." He, naturally, is featured in the book. "I am the Dandy of New York."

The dress code for the evening instructed "Dress Dandy" and several men, and some women, took it to heart, to the point of sporting top hats and handlebar mustaches. Cator Sparks, a writer who is also in the book, arrived with his Scottish Terrier, Fergus, in tow. Both Mr. Sparks and Fergus wore a bow tie.

Bergdorf Men's, er Goodman's, was also celebrating a new Brioni shop on its second floor. Brioni co-hosted the party.

Meanwhile at Paul Stuart, guests got the chance to look at 16 giant framed extremely candid shots of the Rat Pack (one photo is of members in a steam room). Many of the pictures had never been published or made public, according to Joseph Baldassare, who works with Reel Art Press, the book's publisher, and who curated the event. That job included ringing Deana Martin, Dean Martin's daughter, to perform, with John and Bucky Pizzarelli. Her new album features a song written by Mr. Baldassare.

"He had such style," Ms. Martin said of her father. "He went to all the finest men's stores. His closet, [it] was like walking in here," referring to the sumptuous store.

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